Stem-Cell-Based Therapy: The Celestial Weapon against Neurological Disorders
Mohamed A. Zayed,
Samar Sultan,
Hashem O. Alsaab,
Shimaa Mohammad Yousof,
Ghadeer I. Alrefaei,
Nouf H. Alsubhi,
Saleh Alkarim,
Kholoud S. Al Ghamdi,
Sali Abubaker Bagabir,
Ankit Jana,
Badrah S. Alghamdi,
Hazem M. Atta,
Ghulam Md Ashraf
Affiliations
Mohamed A. Zayed
Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Samar Sultan
Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Hashem O. Alsaab
Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Shimaa Mohammad Yousof
Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Ghadeer I. Alrefaei
Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Nouf H. Alsubhi
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
Saleh Alkarim
Embryonic and Cancer Stem Cell Research Group, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Kholoud S. Al Ghamdi
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
Sali Abubaker Bagabir
Genetic Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
Ankit Jana
School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
Badrah S. Alghamdi
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Hazem M. Atta
Clinical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Ghulam Md Ashraf
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
Stem cells are a versatile source for cell therapy. Their use is particularly significant for the treatment of neurological disorders for which no definitive conventional medical treatment is available. Neurological disorders are of diverse etiology and pathogenesis. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is caused by abnormal protein deposits, leading to progressive dementia. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is due to the specific degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons causing motor and sensory impairment. Huntington’s disease (HD) includes a transmittable gene mutation, and any treatment should involve gene modulation of the transplanted cells. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting multiple neurons sporadically but induces progressive neuronal dysfunction. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) impacts upper and lower motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle degeneration. This shows the need to try to tailor different types of cells to repair the specific defect characteristic of each disease. In recent years, several types of stem cells were used in different animal models, including transgenic animals of various neurologic disorders. Based on some of the successful animal studies, some clinical trials were designed and approved. Some studies were successful, others were terminated and, still, a few are ongoing. In this manuscript, we aim to review the current information on both the experimental and clinical trials of stem cell therapy in neurological disorders of various disease mechanisms. The different types of cells used, their mode of transplantation and the molecular and physiologic effects are discussed. Recommendations for future use and hopes are highlighted.
